Fendir and Faina

Life, Identity

Natalya comforts Fenneck as they wait for their son to return home.

Natalya opened Fendir's door and saw Fenneck laying on their son's bed mat. He wasn't crying, but Natalya could tell he had been. Every night for two weeks now he had been resting here waiting for Fendir to return. Natalya closed the door behind her and went to her husband and laid down next to him. She had never seen him like this. He had been a wreck since Fendir disappeared. He had stopped attending meetings and had put his duties aside as he mourned. Natalya tried to have hope. She knew Fendir was a child but she also trusted that he needed a bit of an escape. She just hoped they hadn't gone somewhere too dangerous. She hoped they were shut up in an inn somewhere disappointing their fathers in other ways than getting themselves killed by a dragon. Every now and then fear would creep into her heart but she was trying to stay strong. Not just for herself but for Fenneck as well. Fenneck didn't look at her as he found her hands, "He's still gone." He said sounding defeated. Natalya squeezed his hands. "It's only been a couple weeks." She tried to sound hopeful but a bit of doubt crept in. He finally looked at her and Natalya's heart broke from his grief. He had lost so many people in his life. Of course this world would steal his son from him. She scooted closer and held him for a while as he softly cried. "They'll take care of each other Fen. They're going to be okay." She said trying to comfort him. "They've probably been at an inn somewhere having sex this whole time." Fenneck sniffled, "They could do that here! Why did they have to leave to another...plane or dimension or whatever?" Natalya laughed softly, "They just...they probably needed some space. Especially if Kastella thought Killion was trying to marry her off. I don't really blame her. And of course Fendir would agree to go with her if it meant he could try and spend time with her. He's been really frustrated with their relationship lately." Fenneck sighed, "He heard us in the ballroom that night, didn't he?" Natalya sighed, "I did find one of his feathers on the stairs afterwards. I...I had hoped it came off when he left the party but they had already cleaned the floors by then." Fenneck squeezed her tightly, "I'm such a jackass." He said sadly. Natalya caressed his long silky hair, "He'll come home Fen. He will." She said, trying to combat the doubt gnawing at her heart. "I've been too hard on him. I should have just let him be himself." Fenneck said, "I know he loves her. I know exactly how he feels and it...it terrifies me. I don't want him to face the same heartaches I've had to go through. I'm not worried he's going to outlive her Nat. I know you and Dimitri and Jasna and Baegla and many others have all found their love to be worth that pain. I'm worried she'll break his heart. I'm worried she'll outgrow him and move on and marry someone and have children and a whole other life and I'm worried it will destroy him like it destroyed me when I lost Evelyn." Natalya kissed Fenneck's forehead. "I know...but falling in love and being heartbroken are a part of life. If that does happen, we'll be there to remind him that he'll be okay and that part of being in love means risking that heartbreak." "My parents weren't there." Fenneck said quietly, almost to himself. "I loved my parents and I knew they loved each other. I thought it was because of thiramin, but it was more complicated than that." Fenneck stared up at the ceiling, "My parents grew up together. They were childhood friends but my father said they were constantly fighting or competing with one another. He said there were points that he hated her." Fenneck giggled softly at the thought, "He had gone to Vladigrad for a few years for a job before he was finally able to return to Flottenheim. He said that when he walked through the market on his way home and saw my mother their eyes met and...they felt it. My mother gave him a sly smirk and they fell instantly and madly in love with each other." He returned his gaze to the floor, a light smile adorning his face, "My father later told me that they didn't fall in love in that moment, but realized they had loved each other for their entire lives. I was too young at the time to really understand. As I grew older, I kept waiting for thiramin to happen with one of my old friends. There were plenty of moments when I wished it had happened with Erikur." He breathed deeply, collecting his thoughts, "I was too scared to simply...love, regardless of thiramin. I don't want Fendir to harden himself to love and happiness. I don't want him to lose that like I did." Natalya sighed as she gently rubbed Fenneck's back. "I don't think he will, but he needs our support," she said softly. "I don't want to lose him like this again if...once he does come home." Fenneck nodded, "I know. I'll try to trust him more. I just hope he's okay." He buried his head into one of their son's pillows and Natalya laid down next to him. She felt her daughter start kicking inside her and she moved Fenneck's hand so he could feel his daughter's little foot. Fenneck smiled sweetly, "I'm so excited to meet her," he said, feeling Natalya's swollen belly. She was starting to show, but they were still able to hide it fairly well from everyone. "She's sweet. She's very particular though. Unlike Fendir," she said, smiling as she thought about her daughter. "Have you chosen a name yet?" Fenneck asked her. She smiled, "I think so. I want to ask your permission first though." Fenneck covered his ears playfully. "You aren't supposed to tell me yet!" He said giggling. "Oh, who cares? We won't tell anyone else." She said rolling her eyes. Fenneck had insisted she keep Fendir's name a secret for a year and it nearly drove Natalya insane. "Are you sure?" He asked her. She could tell he was trying not to sound excited. Besides, he needed something good in his life right now and letting him in on this might give him a bit of happiness. "Yeah, I want you to be a part of this Fen." She said smiling up at him. He sighed, "Okay then." He said sitting up a little too excitedly, "What name are you thinking?" She asked the baby one more time if it was sure and then she looked over at Fenneck, "Faina." Fenneck smiled and Natalya saw tears come into his eyes, "Really? She likes it?" He asked referring to the child. "She does, and it seems fitting. I just wanted to make sure that was okay. I know how important your mother was to you and if it's sacred then I understand and so does she." Natalya said, gently rubbing her stomach. Fenneck leaned down and kissed Natalya. His hair tickled her neck and she reached her hand up and caressed the back of his head. "I love you so much." He said softly, pulling a couple centimeters away from her lips before nuzzling their noses together. "You like it?" She asked, still a bit hesitant. "I love it so much. And so would my mother. Thank you Natalya." He kissed her cheek gently. "I wish she could have met you. And Fendir. She would have adored Fendir." He said smiling to himself, imagining his mother meeting their child. "She would have adored this one too." He said turning and kissing Natalya's belly. Faina kicked his lips gently as they touched Natalya's belly. Fenneck giggled and laid his head gently next to his child who pressed against him. "Hello Faina." He sweetly greeted his child. Natalya smiled and felt Faina beam excitedly. "She likes you. A lot." She said smiling at Fenneck who looked like he might burst from excitement. "I can't wait to meet you little one." He told his daughter in elvish. Fenneck eventually laid down next to Natalya and they cuddled next to each other to meditate. "I can't believe you've been resting here for two weeks." Natalya said shaking her head. "Why do you say that?" He asked her confused. "Oh please. You know what our son has done in here. And who." She teased. Fenneck rolled his eyes. "I cleaned the blankets first, don't worry." He chuckled and laid his head against Natalya's shoulder. "If he does come back we are telling him we had sex in here to get back at him." Natalya laughed and kissed Fenneck's head. "You're a mess." She said. Fenneck sighed heavily and Natalya felt him drift off. She worried about Fendir for a few more moments before allowing herself to slip into meditation with her husband.